Healthy Exams

The lead up to exams and deadlines can often be overwhelming and cause a huge amount of stress and anxiety. Looking after your health during this period may be the last thing on your mind, but whilst preparation and revision are key elements of doing well in your assessments, staying healthy whilst you study greatly adds to your chances of being successful and reaching your potential.

To help make it a little easier for you, we have put togetherfive healthy actions that you can incorporate into your study routine to help yourself stay healthy during the assessment period.

Stay Hydrated

Drinking plenty of water is important to keep you at the top of your game during revision, exams and hand-ins. Avoid drinks containing caffeine such as tea, coffee and energy type drinks such as Red Bull. Caffeine may stimulate you, but it can also make you anxious and on edge, and won’t hydrate your body and mind as much as water does.

Eat well

Eat regular, healthy meals to ensure you have plenty of energy to study. Perfect foods for keeping your mind sharp are oily fish, eggs and generally lots of fruit and vegetables. Oat based breakfasts such as porridge provide a slow release of energy until lunch, and bananas and blueberries are great foods to snack on in the library. Click here for some ideas for healthy lunches to eat whilst you take a break from studying.

Take regular exercise

Exercise can relieve stress and also increases the rate of blood flow around your body and to your brain, which helps you to think more clearly and absorb more information when revising. The University Sports Centre has a range of classes available throughout the year including yoga, zumba and box fit. Click here to see the full timetable.

Get plenty of sleep

Make sure you get enough sleep each night. You may feel the temptation to stay up late revising and essay writing but when you are tired you won't take in as much information and won't be able to think as clearly. Stop studying two hours before going to bed and do something relaxing to switch off.

Take regular breaks

Studying for hours without a break will result in you being unable to concentrate and take information in. Incorporate regular breaks and evenings off into your revision plan. It will mean you are extra switched on when you are revising.